TRIPS, TIPS & DEALS.

A trip to the canvas of Maine

August 04, 2002|By Margaret Backenheimer. Special to the Tribune.

Prouts Neck, the coastal locale where Winslow Homer created many of his watercolors depicting the sea, and the Olson House, inspiration for Andrew Wyeth's painting "Christina's World," are highlights of Artistic Portraits of Coastal Maine, offered by The Art Institute of Chicago Oct. 2-6.

The trip includes a tour of Homer's studio hosted by his grandniece Dorie Homer and a visit with artist Frederic Kellogg, who lives and paints in a restored 1848 barn.

The tour also includes a peek at museums, galleries and a farmhouse filled with the work of contemporary Maine artists. The $2,550 cost covers round-trip airfare from Chicago to Portland, two nights in Portland, two nights in Camden, nearly all meals, motor coach transportation within Maine, leadership and all activities. (312-443-3915)

SHOOT OR GO FISH

The Inn at Sawmill Farm in West Dover, Vt., has teamed up with the nearby Taddingers country store to offer two deals for the sporting-minded.. The Learn to Fly Fish Package ties up three-nights' accommodations and all meals with fly fishing instruction for two, fishing licenses, equipment use and the services of an instructor endorsed by Orvis. Prices start at $1,715 for two. The Sporting Clay Package matches two nights at Sawmill Farm and all meals, including two dinners, with a one-day course in the fundamentals of shooting clay pigeons and wobbler's traps. Prices start at $1,540 for two. Both are good through the night of Sept. 12. (800-493-1133; or on the Internet at www.theinnatsawmillfarm.com)

ESCAPE FROM HONOLULU

A world apart from the hubbub of Waikiki, the Turtle Bay Resort is a quiet enclave on the north shore of Oahu. Formerly a Hilton, Turtle Bay offers 403 guest rooms and 42 beach cottages, the latter just remodeled and available at a special rate of $349 per night per cottage through Sept. 30, with each night booked entitling two guests to their choice of dinner, horseback riding or a round of golf on the resort's Fazio-designed course. (800-203-3650; or at www.turtlebayresort.com)

STAGE NORTH

Located a few blocks from Toronto's entertainment district, the Holiday Inn On King offers two theater specials. The Applause Package includes a guest room for two for one night, parking, buffet breakfast for two and hotel ticket handling fees for $165 U.S. until Oct. 31 and $146 thereafter until March 31 of next year. The Encore Package throws in an upgraded room and evening coffee and dessert for two for $184 until Oct. 31 and $165 thereafter. Among the theatrical choices near the hotel are "The Lion King" at the Princess of Wales and "Mamma Mia!" at the Royal Alexandra, both playing until Dec. 22. The Holiday Inn On King will obtain tickets for guests booking the theater packages, but cost of theater tickets is additional to the package prices. (416-599-4000; or at www.hiok.com)

FREE STUFF

"Fall Colour Routes" are outlined in the 2002 Southern Ontario Travel Guide, which covers Niagara Falls as well as wine cellars, a butterfly garden and a ginseng farm (800-267-3399; or at www.southernontario.org) . . . Just north of the Los Angeles International Airport, Marina del Rey is the "largest constructed pleasure craft harbor in the world," says the brochure, which lists sporting, shopping and dining opportunities. (310-305-9545; or at www.visitthemarina.com).